November 19, 2008

Free Security Software Announced By Microsoft

Microsoft announced it will offer free anti-virus and security solution software starting from the second half of next year.

It will stop selling its all-in-one security and PC management service, OneCare, at the end of June 2009.

With the code-name Morro, the new software will be a program suited to small and less powerful computers.

It will be a free download and will support Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7 operating systems.

The anti-virus market is already flooded with big-name players such as Symantec and McAfee, which have been draining the sells of OneCare.

OneCare launched in May 2006 and has garnered less than 2% of the security software market share.

Microsoft said in statement that Morro would be designed specifically to be a small-footprint program that uses fewer system resources, and would be ideal for users with low-bandwidth connections.

Amy Barzdukas, senior director of product management in the online services division at Microsoft, said, "This new, no-cost offering will give us the ability to protect an even greater number of consumers, especially in markets where the growth of new PC purchases is outpaced only by the growth of malware."